More American LNG approved for Asia today:
The U.S. Energy Department (DOE) said that it has conditionally authorized Freeport LNG Expansion FLNG Liquefaction to export additional volumes of domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States from the Freeport LNG Terminal in Quintana Island, Texas.
Freeport previously received approval to export 1.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day (Bcf/d) of LNG from this facility to non-FTA countries on May 17, 2013. The Freeport Expansion application was next in the order of precedence after the Energy Department conditionally authorized Dominion’s proposed Cove Point facility in September 2013. Subject to environmental review and final regulatory approval, the facility is conditionally authorized to export an additional 0.4 Bcf/d, for a total rate of up to 1.8 Bcf/d, for a period of 20 years.
This is equivalent to another 3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) but is included in the IEA’s standing estimate of a probable minimum of 60mpta of approvals in short order.
Meanwhile, back home, FLNG still offers hope:
ExxonMobil and BHP Billiton have received a boost to their tentative plans for a massive floating LNG plant off Western Australia, securing environmental approval for the multi-billion dollar venture from the federal government.
The approval, which comes with 17 conditions, was given after no submissions were received by the environment department on the plan, which would involve stationing a huge FLNG vessel at the Scarborough gas deposit, 220 kilometres north-west of Exmouth.
